Multiple purpose clothespin



Sept. 19, 1944.

E. ALLRED 2,358,373

MULTIPLE PURPOSE CLOTHESPIN A Filed March l, 1944 AIZ Sheets-Sheet l luren/gr Sept. 19, 1944.

MULTIPLE PURPOSE CLOTHESPIN 2 sheets-sneek 2 Filed March l, 1944 fmesf /f//fegf liv Mld Patented Sept. 19, 1944 n MULTIPLE PURPOSE OLO THESPIN Ernest Allred, San Francisco, Calif., assignor of forty-nine per cent to Theodore W. Jett, Oakland, Calif.

Application March 1, 1944, Serial No. 524,606

1 Claim. (Cl. Zit-139:1)

This invention relates to a multiple purpose clothes-pin of a so-called three-in-one type, that is, a unitary structure embodying a pair of parallel selectively and individually usable clothespins and an intervening complemental part which serves to permanently attach the unitary structure to the line to thus render it susceptible of expedient use and to avoid loss of the device.

Although the structure is susceptible of manufacture from wood and other materials it is preferably fashioned from a single length of wire of proper gauge, this being bent intermediate its ends and at its end portions to dene the main triple-part assembly and a stabilizing and reinforcing horizontal frame-work.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawlllgS.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing a pair of the so-called multiple purpose Iclothes-pins in use and illustrating how they may be conveniently employed to suspend articles from a clothesline.

Figure 2 is a perspective view which satisfactorily portrays, it is believed, the formation of the overall structure and the designing and relationship of the component parts. A

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of the structure showing the grips or clamps detached from the line with the suspension loop on the line to retain the device on the line when not in use.

Referring now to"the drawings by distinguishying reference numerals, the unitary structure comprises what may be identified as four main phases or components, namely, the duplicate longitudinally spaced clothes-pins or clamps A and B, the intervening line attaching member C and the horizontal and .embracing and stabilizing frame-work D.

As before indicated, the device is preferably constructed from a single length of wire of appropriate resiliency and gauge. The length of wire is bent centrally to form the part C which is an elongated loop- 4 to surround the clothesline L. The loop-ends are twisted together as at 5 and diverge in opposite horizontal directions to form limbs 6. From this point on the clothespins A and B are fashioned as is likewise the so-called frame-work D. As each pin is the same in construction a description of one will suflice for both, the same reference characters are used to identify, identical parts. this theme the free end of the wire is bent down at right angles in parallelism to the loop 4 as indicated at the point 'I and is then formed with a series of coacting bends to define a pair of parallel resilient grips or jaws B and an upstanding central stem portion terminating in an elevated linger-grip 9. Then the wire is bent in a horizontal direction to form an adapter loop Ill which surrounds1 the median portion of the clothes-'pin and "the terminal end is twisted around the corresponding opposite end as indicated at Il, the final end terminating as at the point I2. The manner in which the wire-ends are bent as at the point I3 just before reaching the twist II permits the two portions 6 and I3 to form somewhat triangular members adjoining the loop I0. These triangular members aiford the desired rigidity to the complete structure and the loops I0 prevent undue spreading and reinforce` the coacting portions of the respective clothes-pins A and B.

In practice the devices are placed on the clothesline L to function as shown to better advantage in Figure 1. Here it will be observed that the opposite ends of the articles are suspended on the line, the 'articles being indicated at I4, that is toy say, the two clothesy pins at the opposite ends of each device engage adjacent ends of the respective articles I4. There is sufficient resiliency in the gripping jaws of the pins to permit them to be individually snapped down over the lineto clamp the article as shown. The finger-pieces 9 rising above the structure facilitate the operation above and the sustaining or suspension loop 4 serves to retain the device on the line at all times and in readiness for use.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming within the iield of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired. K

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A multiple purpose clothespin construction of the class described, comprising a single length of resilient wire bent upon itself at its center to define an elongated line-attaching loop; said loop being closed by a twist of the wire, the end portions then being bent at rightu angles in opposite Following l extended transversely across the outer sides of portion.

said W-shaped portions in parallel relation to the portions extending across the inner sides thereof to provide means for maintaining the vertical alignment of said W-shaped portions, the said ends being then returned to a point centrally positioned over said line-attaching loop, and clinched by twisting the opposite ends together, thus forming a longitudinal reinforcing ERNEST ALLRED. 

